Graduate

Your Ph.D. is valued

A Ph.D. in criminal justice has never been more relevant or compelling. Whether you are studying the nature and causes of crime, the administration of civil and criminal justice, or the relationship between law and society, the work you do will take you in profound and path-breaking directions.

Graduates of our department go on to careers in academia, government, and the private sector.

We embrace cross-cultural + interdisciplinary inquiry

The Ph.D. in criminal justice requires a minor, allowing you to deepen your proficiency in two intersecting areas.

As a graduate student, you apply research insights and technical training from other disciplines to issues in law, crime, and justice. Our faculty connects to the departments of Anthropology, Developmental Science, Law, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, and Sociology, among others.

Your professors conduct research in the United States and abroad, encouraging you to pursue new and emerging areas of inquiry. Faculty mentors provide you with the theoretical and methodological skills needed to do so.

Laura Roush

graduate student

I needed to be part of a cohesive community, both on and off a college campus, but am not suited for a bustling city. Bloomington seemed a reasonable solution and, once I laid feet on the campus and interacted with the people here, I was enthralled. Regarding the program, it was hands down the eclectic, interdisciplinary approach--including the opportunity to seek a minor at the graduate level—that sold me.

Joshua T. Ellsworth

graduate student

I enjoy the freedom that Criminal Justice doctoral students have to create their own unique graduate education. There are Criminal Justice courses in theory, as well as qualitative and quantitative methods that are universal graduate level courses that all CJ doctoral students will complete; however, much of their graduate credit hours can be applied to courses, readings, and research projects that specifically apply to your education, allowing the doctoral student to mold their courses to their own personal academic and research areas of interests.

We are part of the College of Arts + Sciences

With over 70 College departments and programs to choose from, your graduate studies deepen your expertise across many fields. Issues of criminal justice are embedded within sociology, psychology, political science, anthropology, and many other fields: you make the links and forge the connections.

A college town often referred to as an oasis

There is something special about going to graduate school in Bloomington. The campus consistently is rated as one of the most beautiful in the nation; you can take a virtual tour to see for yourself.

While Bloomington is a quintessential college town, located in the rolling green hills of southern Indiana, the city also offers a host of big-city experiences. The Arts are especially strong here, as IU boasts one of the top music schools in the world, hosting more than 1,000 performances per year. It also boasts a great theatre department, a remarkable art museum, and open air markets and festivals.

There are three lakes in Monroe County; miles of scenic hiking, running and bicycling trails; and numerous excellent restaurants and wineries. Our location offers easy access to Midwestern urban centers such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville, St. Louis, and Cincinnati.